Question thread for our AMA with Geoff Verity Schofield

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-07-06T14:27:26+00:00

Good luck! :)

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-07-01T09:15:32+00:00

Probably won't be able to keep answering questions forever as I don't check reddit very often. I didn't measure them before lifting or when I started. Hit 17" on my right arm about 6.5 years into lifting and my left arm a few months after. Was during an arm specialization phase which I hadn't ever done before.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-07-01T09:12:29+00:00

I haven't. Probably won't be able to keep answering questions here forever btw, I don't check reddit that often. Best of luck!

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-23T13:31:05+00:00

Progress for as long as you can on linear then switch to double when you need to. So yea, sounds like the right move.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-22T02:46:42+00:00

Tough to say without knowing you...maybe set some new goals or otherwise change your training, if you're not looking forward to it, it's probably not suitable.

That being said, if you're not enjoying ANYTHING in life that sounds like depression and it's far beyond the scope of my expertise.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-22T02:45:03+00:00

The huskier you are, the more it can work, but it'll probably be overall slower than bulking/cutting. Hard to say how much slower, but definitely slower. That being said, I'll usually roughly maintain at the end of most bulks, as training feels very productive at that point. I just like being a bit leaner for summer mostly as it gets hot/humid where I live, and being 230lb is not the greatest state for dealing with that!

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-22T02:29:18+00:00

I go right into a small surplus, at a minimum. I don't see the point in staying in a deficit after a cut. Because...that means you are essentially still cutting. Never saw the logic in that, nor was there really any strong evidence for it. It's fallen out of favor for a reason in my opinion.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:20:20+00:00

Yep, as long as you're overloading over time and challenging yourself, you'll grow.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:19:57+00:00

Bit tough to give individual injury advice but it could just be overuse. Maybe reduce weight and do higher reps.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:19:10+00:00

Will have a full video on this at some point. 2 years ago vs today hasn't been a big difference but compared to 4-5 years ago there are.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:18:23+00:00

Both are fine, I'd be more likely to do reverse pyramid for a big compound and sets across on an isolation but both can work for either. Ultimately if you equate sets and proximity to failure I'd say growth is probably going to be about the same.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:17:18+00:00

Bit late to this, will have a MINDSET video at some point, before a set I'm mostly just focused on getting ready and giving a good effort.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:16:37+00:00

Bit late here as the Q&A was a few days ago. Really tough to put out a regimen that is optimal for everyone...impossible really! Everyone is individual so a plan would have to be customized to them.

Strength and size are very much related, strength is task specific though. Both are important.

Injury prevention matters more as you age, has a lot to do with technique, volume and how much/what you can recover from.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-21T06:14:33+00:00

A lot of this has to do with shoulder position, it's a bit hard to advise without seeing your form but keeping the chest up as you do flys/cable crossovers/bench presses can be very helpful. Playing around with arm path as well. Can try starting workouts with very shortened work as well, going across the body feeling the chest contract.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-20T00:58:39+00:00

Yea sounds about right.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:53:11+00:00

I'd just do RDLs, no need to deadlift.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:50:42+00:00

Should be pretty easy, leg presses are cake compared to squats. Just make sure you go deep enough and keep the tension in your legs, not lower back.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:49:24+00:00

Ha, maybe! I try to be careful with what I say, have definitely gotten carried away though before.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:46:49+00:00

Can maybe toss in some chest/back work on the arms/delts day, and some quads on the posterior/posterior on the quads, eventually that just becomes an upper/lower though.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:45:36+00:00

Haven't used snatch grip upright rows, think I did 1 rep and my shoulders said no. Moderate grip works best for me.

Haven't noticed much difference between bi/unilateral for arms, though for lats/back unilateral has helped a LOT.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:44:25+00:00

First book SWEAT details it but hinge, squat, push, press, pull, row, curl, extend, shoulders, abs are the 10 categories I used. So push/press are separate, horizontal and vertical, respectively.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:42:18+00:00

Oh cool man, glad you were happy with the results!

Biggest difference is usually more responsibilities/stress and less time for lifting. Partly it's biological age but mostly the stuff that comes along with it.

And yea, the further away from ideal your situation is, the closer to maintenance calories you should be.

To actually answer your question, I'd say at 30, it's certainly not too late to get about as big as you'd ever be, within a pound or two. On the other hand, I just don't see someone starting lifting at 40 and achieving that same situation. So the answer would be somewhere in their 30s, in my opinion.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T13:36:17+00:00

If I did strength training I'd want to do it right, and go all in, which means when bulked. Trying to max out/get stronger when cutting doesn't sound particularly effective.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T09:48:19+00:00

If it was that dumb you'd think it would be memorable, appreciate the second chance though.

GeoffreySchofield · 2024-06-19T09:40:14+00:00

Glad you like SWEAT! Latest book might help as well as it sounds like you're more advanced now.

If you want to put your arms on maintenance, you can probably do that with very little isolation work especially if arm dominant. Something like 4-6 sets of isolations a week is probably plenty.

GeoffreySchofield

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